November 20
Maritime PeeWee Championship
Game
Halifax Raiders 24 Riverview Lions 6
November 13
New Brunswick PeeWee
Championship Game
Riverview Lions 8 Albert Street Eagles 2
Daily
Gleaner | Football
As published on page C1 on November 15, 2005
Lions rule N.B. peewee football
THE EAGLE HAS NOT YET LANDED
(The
Daily Gleaner/David Smith Photo)
Running back Patrick Downe of the Albert Street
Middle School Eagles tries to bull his way through
the tackle of Riverview Lions' J.P. Bowie during
Sunday's provincial peewee football championship
game at FHS Field. Try as he may, Downe couldn't
find paydirt on this day as Riverview won its
second straight provincial title with an 8-2
victory over the Eagles |
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By The Daily Gleaner
The Riverview Lions are provincial peewee football champions for
the second straight season.
Lions earned provincial bragging rights along with the Bob Pierce
Memorial Trophy by virtue of beating Albert Street Eagles 8-2 in
the final played on a muddy, slippery field at Fredericton High
School Field Sunday.
When all was said and done, it was a 15-yard sprint into the end
zone by Lyle Blakeney early in the second quarter that would prove
to be enough for the Lions to earn their way into the Maritime
final scheduled Sunday at Huskies Stadium in Halifax.
Setting up the scoring play was a 50-yard gallop down the sideline
by Tim Jay, who was tackled on the Eagles' 15-yard line. Three
players later, Blakeney ran in for the major. Brett McNeil added
the two-point convert to account for the Riverview scoring.
The Eagles, who were 10-0 coming into the game and had surrendered
just 10 points all season long, stiffened defensively from that
point on.
But it was turnovers from the Eagles' offence that would prove
costly on this day.
For instance, the Eagles drove down to the five-yard line in the
dying seconds of the second quarter only to have the ball
intercepted on the final play of the half.
In the third quarter, the Eagles would again drive the ball to the
Lions' 15-yard line before turning it over on a fumble. The Lions
were unable to move the ball and opted to concede a two-point
safety.
With the time winding down in the fourth quarter, the Eagles had
one last scoring drive but all-star running back Patrick Downe was
tackled on the five-yard line on what proved to be the final play
of the game.
It marked the second straight year Riverview had denied the Eagles
in provincial play. Last year, the Lions were 22-14 winners in
semifinal play before defeating a team from St. Stephen-Calais,
Me. 30-8 in the final.
Riverview earned its way to Sunday's final with a 26-0 victory
over the St. Stephen-Calais Silverados while the Eagles were
getting past Oromocto Panthers 32-0 in the other semifinal.
While Riverview captured the N.B. peewee title, it was the Moncton
Junior Highlanders scoring a dramatic 8-6 win over Hampton Huskies
in the provincial bantam title game played in Hampton.
Moncton scored on the game's final play on a one-yard plunge by
Dylan Hollohan after a Hail Mary pass set up the Highlanders
scoring chance from the one. Moncton kicker Thomas Brady then
successfully completed the two-point conversion for the margin of
victory.
Hampton's touchdown came in the first quarter when Todd Floyd
rambled in from 26 yards for the major score. The convert was
missed.
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It was a defensive struggle played on a muddy, slippery field between
two undefeated teams with explosive offences and unyielding defences.
After a
scoreless first quarter the Lions Tim Jay got loose down the sideline
for a 50 yard run before being tackled at the Eagles 15 yard line. Three
plays later Lyle Blakeney squirted into the end zone for what would turn
out to be the only touchdown of the game. Brett McNeil added the convert
to put the Lions up 8-0.
From this
point on the Eagles defence stiffened and kept the Riverview offence
from moving the ball with any consistency for the remainder of the game.
Albert Street would drive inside the Lions five yard line in the dying
seconds of the second quarter only to have the ball intercepted on the
last play of the half.
In the
third quarter the Eagles again drove to the Lions 15 yard line before
turning the ball over on a fumble. Riverview was unable to move the ball
and conceded a safety to make the score 8-2.
With less
than a minute remaining the Eagles put together one last desperate
drive. Albert Street running back Patrick Downe was tackled on the Lions
5 yard line on the final play of the game.
With the
win the Lions advance to the Maritime PeeWee championship game on Sunday
November 20 at 11 am at Huskies Stadium in Halifax. Their opponent will
be the Halifax Raiders.
Daily Gleaner | Minor
Leagues
As published on page D3 on November 12, 2005
Eagles eye peewee football title
PRACTICE:
(THE
DAILY GLEANER/STEVE MACGILLIVRAY PHOTO)
Albert St. Eagles go over plays. They are from left:
Patrick Downe, running back; Sheldon Downe, head coach;
Matthew Rioux, QB, and Curtis Prime, tight end. |
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By BRUCE HALLIHAN
bhalliha@dailygleaner.com
Sunday's provincial peewee football final between the defending champion
Riverview Lions and the Albert Street Eagles looks too close to call.
The Lions are 11-0 and have allowed just 12 points. The Eagles are 10-0
and have surrendered just 10 points.
Kick off is 1 p.m. Sunday at Fredericton High School field.
The winner will earn the Bob Pierce Memorial Trophy and a berth in the
Maritime final against the Nova Scotia champion next Sunday at Huskies
Stadium in Halifax.
"All indications are we're pretty evenly matched," Riverview
head coach Victor Vaughan said.
The Lions beat the St. Stephen-Calais Silverados 30-8 in last year's
provincial final, but Vaughan says his team's semifinal victory over the
Eagles in Oromocto "was, in all honesty, the hardest game we played
all year."
The Lions trailed late in the fourth quarter, but rallied to beat Albert
Street 22-14.
"It was a great football game," Vaughan said.
Albert Street head coach Sheldon Downe, who was an assistant to Chuck
Proudfoot the last three seasons, is confident his team can capture its
first provincial title since 2002.
"Whenever you're facing a team that's also undefeated, you have to
respect that opponent," Downe said, "but I believe we can beat
them this time.
"Having said that, I think it's going to be a pretty evenly matched
game."
The Lions boast two capable quarterbacks in Brett MacNeil and Vanessa
Pickard, but running back Tim Jay is their most dangerous weapon.
Jay, as a 12-year-old, was the team's most valuable player last season
and coach Vaughan says number 77 is likely to repeat as MVP this season.
"Jay is very good," Downe said. "He's essentially the guy
we're going to look to contain. But they seem to be 50/50 when it comes
to passing and running plays. My concern is their passing game because
we're not used to a passing game.
"We've just had to shut down running because no one could actually
pass against us."
Downe's other concern is that the Eagles haven't had to face any
adversity.
"We've never been pressured," he said. "Our lowest game
was 24-0 and we've never trailed."
The Eagles are led by running back Patrick Downe, the coach's son.
"He started as a quarterback," Downe said, "but his
running game is what's really nice to watch. He's easily second year
junior varsity (in terms of ability)."
That's not just a proud father talking either. Patrick is the Capital
Area Minor Football Association's peewee player of the year.
"He's smart and he's fast and he avoids tackles as opposed to
trying to go through them," Downe said.
Patrick Downe sees double duty as middle linebacker.
Halfback Dylan DesMeules, who was also chosen CAMFA defensive player of
the year, has accounted for a good portion of Albert Street's points,
too.
"Patrick and Dylan usually go 50/50 in the scoring," Downe
said.
Other key Eagles are quarterback Matt Rioux and tight end Curtis Prime,
who also plays defensive end.
Both teams are coming off lopsided victories last weekend. The Lions
shut out the Silverados 26-0 in Moncton while the Eagles blanked the
Oromocto Panthers 32-0.
"I'm hoping we can get the first touchdown because we're not used
to being scored on," said Downe, who's assisted by Dave Rioux and
Eric McGarvey.
Downe was a defensive end for the Acadia Axemen in 1980 and 1981. His
most memorable game was at College Field. The Axemen trailed the UNB Red
Bombers 35-7 at halftime but rallied for a 38-35 victory.
Now he's enjoying the game from the sidelines, watching 13-year-old
Patrick star for his team and his other son, 15-year-old Ryan, excel for
the FHS JV Black Kats.
"I love coaching this (peewee) age group," Downe said.
"They just want to learn.
"They're excited about the whole thing. They can't wait for the
championship game to start."
The New Brunswick bantam final goes Sunday in Hampton when the Huskies
host the Moncton Highlanders.
In semifinal play, Hampton beat Kennecasis Valley 20-12 while Moncton
beat the Oromocto Blues 20-15.
November 6
Provincial PeeWee Qualification Game
Albert Street Eagles 32 Oromocto Panthers 0
Patrick
Downe lead the Eagles with three touchdowns and a convert. Dylan
DesMeules added a pair of majors.
With the
win the Eagles advance to the provincial PeeWee championship game
against the Riverview Lions. The Lions qualified by virtue of a 26-0
victory over the St. Stephen-Calais Silverados.
The
provincial championship game goes Sunday, November 13 at 1 pm at
Fredericton High School.
November 2
Capital
Area Middle School Championship
Albert Street Eagles 36 Oromocto Panthers 6
Patrick
Downe paced the Eagles by scoring three touchdowns and kicking a
convert. Dylan DesMeules and Wesley Kennett had the other Albert Street
TD's. Matt Rioux kicked a convert. The Eagles defence recorded a
safety.
Jesse Rae
had the Panthers major.
October 30
Capital
Area Middle School Semi-Finals
Albert Street Eagles 52 Devon Wildcats 0
Patrick
Downe paced the Eagles by scoring four touchdowns and kicking four
converts. Aaron Goodwin rushed for one TD while QB Matt Rioux connected
with Curtis Prime and Wesley Kennett for two more. Rioux also
kicked a convert.
Oromocto Panthers 8 Nashwaaksis Nordics 7
Nordic's punter Devan Gunaseelan's 25 yard single was the only scoring
in the first half. In the third quarter the Panthers were able to put
together a 50 yard drive that climaxed in a 10 yard touchdown pass from
Jesse Rae to Mitchell McCoy. McCoy added the convert to give the
Panthers an 8-1 lead.
The Nordics
put together a long drive late in the fouth quater that resulted in a15
yard touchdown run by Nick Hopey that cut the lead to 8-7. The convert
attempt was blocked leaving the Panthers with a narrow victory.
October 28
Capital Area Middle School Quarter-Final
Devon Wildcats 12 George Street Crusaders 0
David
Kennedy and Tyler Vrolyk had the Wildcats touchdowns.
October 23
Oromocto Panthers 0 Nashwaaksis Nordics
0
In a
game played in a steady downpour on a soaked field the teams played to a
scoreless tie.
Albert Street Eagles 30
Devon Wildcats 0
Patrick
Downe scored two touchdowns for the Eagles. Tom Books, Aaron Goodwin and
Matt Rioux added one major each.
October 20
Oromocto Panthers 20 George Street
Crusaders 6
Jesse
Rae passed to Joel Toole for one touchdown and Toole ran for another to
lead the Panthers to victory. Oromocto also got a rushing touchdown from
Xavier Richards. Mitchell McCoy booted a convert.
Adam Jones
scored the Crusaders touchdown.
Albert Street Eagles 44
Devon Wildcats 0
Patrick
Downe was a one man wrecking crew for the Eagles rushing for five
touchdowns and kicking four converts. Dylan DesMeules had the other
Albert touchdown.
October 14
Albert Street Eagles 30
Nashwaaksis Nordics 3
Patrick
Downe ran for two touchdowns and passed to Wesley Kennett for another to
lead the Eagles to undisputed possession of first place. Kennett
also ran for a touchdown. Downe kicked three converts.
Peter
Reimer kicked a 20 yard field goal for the Nordics.
October 13
Devon Wildcats 14 George
Street Crusaders 8
David
Kennedy's second touchdown of the game with less than a minute remaining
lifted the Wildcats to their first victory in team history. Luc Vienneau
added a convert.
Garett Gee
stripped the ball from a Devon player and returned it 40 yards for the
Crusaders lone touchdown. David Thomas added the convert.
October 7
1st Annual Northside Bowl Game
Nashwaaksis Nordics 30 Devon Wildcats 0
This game was played at Nashwwaksis Field in front of 900 students from
both schools.
Mike Benson ran for two touchdowns and Jake Bryden added another.
Nordics QB Peter Reimer hit Eric McGarry for six more points. McGarry
kicked two converts and Zack Ross tackled a Devon player in the
end zone for a safety.
October 4
Nashwaaksis Nordics 16
Oromocto Panthers 0
Eric
McGarry caught a 30 yard touchdown pass from Peter Reimer and Mike
Benson rumbled 30 yards for another major as the Nordics blanked the
Panthers. McGarry also booted a pair of converts.
October 2
Oromocto Panthers 26
Devon Wildcats 6
Jesse
Rae passed to Joel Toole for one touchdown and ran for another to lead
the Panthers to victory. Oromocto also got rushing touchdowns from Toole
and Xavier Richards. Mitchell McCoy booted a convert.
David
Kennedy ran back a punt for the Wildcats only touchdown.
Albert Street Eagles 50
George Street Crusaders 0
Patrick
Downe had three touchdowns and Dylan DesMeules had two more in the
Eagles rout. Wesley Kenneett and Matt Rioux also rushed for six
pointers. Downe kicked four converts.
September 30
Nashwaaksis Nordics 20
George Street Crusaders 6
Mike
Benson lead the Nordics with two touchdowns. Peter Reimer added another
and Eric McGarry kicked a convert.
George
Street Crusaders QB Adam Jones hooked up with Garrett Gee on a 50 yard
pass and run play for the Crusaders points.
September 27
Albert Street Eagles 42
Oromocto Panthers 7
Dylan
DesMeules paced the Eagles with three touchdowns. Grant West added a
pair. Patrick Downe also had a touchdown and kicked three converts.
Panthers QB Jesse Rae hit Joel Toole for the Panthers TD. Mitch McCoy
punted for a single.
September 25
Albert Street Eagles 25
Oromocto Panthers 0
Patrick
Downe was the difference as he ran for two touchdowns, caught a pass
from QB Matt Rioux for another as well as running for a convert. Dylan
DesMeules had the other Albert six pointer.
Nashwaaksis Nordics 8 George
Street Crusaders 6
Eric
McGarry scored a touchdown and kicked a convert to provide the Nordics
with their margin of victory.
Thomas
Tremblay intercepted a pass for the Crusaders and returned it for a
touchdown.
The Nordics
defence had two goal line stands in the fourth quarter.
September 23
4th Annual Southside Bowl Game
Albert
Street Eagles 24 George Street Crusaders 0
This
game was played at College Field on the campus of U.N.B. in
front of the students of both schools, i.e. 1,300 spectators.
The
first half was dominated by the defences. Dylan Desmeles scored the only
TD at the midway point of the second quarter on a 20 yard run to put
Albert up 6-0 at the half.
In
the third quarter the Eagles defence took the game over. First Grant
West returned a blocked punt 30 yards to paydirt. Several minutes later
Curtis Prime picked off an errant Crusders pass and rambled 35 yards for
another Albert touchdown.
Patrick Downe finished the scoring for the winners midway through the
fourth quarter with a 50 yard touchdown scamper.
Since the series began in 2002 the Eagles have won all four games.
September 20
Oromocto
Panthers 12 Devon Wildcats 0
Panthers QB Jesse Rae hooked up with Joel Toole twice for touchdown
passes of 45 and 70 yards in a game otherwise dominated by stingy
defences.
September 16
Nashwaaksis
Nordics 12 Devon Wildcats 6
The
defences of both teams dominated the game until the latter stages of the
fourth quarter. Nordics QB Peter Reimer put his team on the board with a
one yard plunge for a touchdown. A few minutes later Reimer passed to
Eric McGarry for another six points.
On
the final play of the game David Kennedy broke loose for a 75 yard
touchdown run for the Wildcats.
September 13
Oromocto
Panthers 20 George Street Crusaders 0
Jesse
Rae threw touchdown passes of 65 yards and 45 yards to Joel Toole and
then ran another major in from 2 yards out to pace the Panthers victory.
Mitchell McCoy added a convert.
The
Crusaders drove to the Oromocto five yard line on two occasions but were
unable to score.
September 11
George
Street Crusaders 24 Devon Wildcats 19
Mike
Purdue's 15 yard touchdown run with less than a minute remaining in the
game lifted the Crusader to victory. David Thomas, Adam Jones and
Jay Murray had the other George Street six pointers.
David
Kennedy was a one man wrecking crew for the Wildcats, in their first
game ever, rushing for three touchdowns and a convert.
Albert Street Eagles 33
Nashwaaksis Nordics 0
Quarterback Patrick Downe rushed for one TD, passed 40 yards to Wesley
Kennett for six points, ran for one convert and kicked another. Dylan
Desmeules added two touchdowns.
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